Preseason Camp Preview: LB

LINEBACKER

Who's back: For the second year in a row, Oregon's defense returns one of the elite players in the country. Kayvon Thibodeaux might be plying his trade in the NFL now, but Noah Sewell is back with the Ducks and piling up preseason all-America and awards watch list honors. Sewell led the Ducks in tackles a year ago with 114, and will look to build on that as he makes his case as a top-tier 2023 NFL draft pick.

A year ago injuries led to a rotating cast beside him at inside linebacker; this year, quality depth could lead to more rotation, with Justin Flowe, Jeffrey Bassa, Jackson LaDuke and Keith Brown all in the mix. Any one of them would be a capable complement to Sewell; together as a whole, it's a fearsome collection of talent in the middle of the defense. Depth is further amplified by veterans Micah Roth and TJ Gilbert.

On the outside, Mase Funa is looking to put together a full season after he played through injuries in 2021. Treven Ma'ae has methodically developed his game the last three years, and expanded his role in the process. He looks to take yet another step in 2022.

Brandon Buckner and Jabril McNeill had an instant impact as role players in 2021, Buckner as a pass rusher and McNeill on special teams. Jaden Navarrette is another big body on the edge who got his first collegiate experience last fall.

Who's new: After playing both ways a year ago, DJ Johnson is focused on defense in 2022, and the stage is set for a big-time impact. Johnson has always had a fearsome blend of size and athleticism, and he showed it off in this year's spring game with four sacks and five tackles for loss among his seven tackles overall.

Spring also saw some freshman newcomers debut for the Ducks, including Harrison Taggart and Devon Jackson at inside linebacker, and Anthony Jones on the outside; Taggart ended up as the Yellow team's leading tackler in the spring game, with six. For this preseason camp, the linebacker unit adds 2022 recruit and UO legacy Emar'rion Winston on the outside, along with Elijah Williams and Malachi Hannah.

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What to watch: There's certainly a lot of interest in seeing Flowe put together a full, healthy season next to Sewell, giving the Ducks a five-star tandem at inside linebacker. But Bassa really took to that position as well last season, LaDuke has shown promise when healthy and Brown is another five-star recruit. The competition should be fierce.

On the outside, Johnson has blossomed into a leader, with his willingness to plays both ways a year ago and his poise in representing the program at the Pac-12's preseason Media Day last week. You don't easily replace a talent like Thibodeaux, but Johnson has off-the-charts talent, and there's more battling it out with him on the outside in Funa, Ma'ae and the younger edge defenders.